Description

The monument comprises the remains of three overlapping palisaded enclosures and a timber hall of prehistoric date represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs. The monument was originally scheduled in 1997 when only the palisaded enclosures were included.

The subsequent recognition of the hall on the aerial photographic coverage was followed by partial excavation in 2001, which confirmed it as a timber building of early Neolithic date. The current rescheduling alters the original scheduled area to incorporate the hall.

The monument lies at around 70m OD, on a comparatively flat raised valley floor a few hundred metres to the W of the River Teith. The northernmost palisaded enclosure is roughly circular, approximately 30m in diameter, and is defined by a narrow palisade trench. It overlaps with the middle enclosure on its S side. The middle enclosure, also roughly circular, is about 40m in diameter and, again, is defined by a narrow palisade trench. It overlaps with the third enclosure on its S side.

The southernmost is roughly oval, measuring about 60m NNW-SSE by about 35m defined by a palisade trench of similar form to the previous two. The middle enclosure is bisected by a modern road. These enclosures are characteristic of a form of enclosed settlement that were widespread in the later Bronze Age but also built, less commonly, in later periods.

The hall lies immediately to the S of the southernmost enclosure. The excavations in 2001 confirmed that it is oblong in shape, aligned roughly N-S, and measures 25m long by 9m wide. It is defined by a series of substantial pits, which would have held timber posts, with 6 further lines of large postholes or post slots running across the width of the building showing the positions of structural supports and internal divisions within the building.

A large quantity of early Neolithic round-based pottery was recovered from the site, but only a few pieces of stonework were found, although this did include a piece of Arran pitchstone.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the elements described above and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is divided into two unequal parts, one roughly rectangular, the other irregular in shape, separated by the road and adjacent field boundaries.

The above-ground elements of modern boundaries are excluded from the scheduling. The area to the N has maximum dimensions of 70m ENE-WSW by 70m, and the area to the S has maximum dimensions of 80m ENE-WSW by 125m, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance for its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric settlement and economy. The relationships between the different elements of the monument are of great interest. The Neolithic hall is one of only two such buildings positively identified in Scotland, and its association with two other major Neolithic sites within 2km (the exceptional long cairn at Auchenlaich, and a probable pit-defined enclosure or cursus at Dalvorich) enhances its importance still further.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NN60NW22.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland